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OFFICEOFTHECOUNTYADMINISTRATOR
10HotelStreet,Suite204
PAULS.McCULLA Warrenton,Virginia20186 CATHERINEM.HERITAGE
CountyAdministrator PHONE5404228001 DeputyCountyAdministrator
FAX5404228022
Email:paul.mcculla@fauquiercounty.gov
Enclosed for your consideration is the County Administrators proposed FY 2018 budget for the
Fauquier County Government. The FY 2018 budget process continues the two-year budget
process implemented by the Board of Supervisors with the FY 2015 budget. While the Board of
Supervisors approved a draft FY 2018 fiscal plan with the FY 2017 adopted budget, the Board of
Supervisors must legally adopt a final FY 2018 budget and tax rates for Tax Year 2017 through
the annual statutorily mandated process for adopting budgets and tax rates.
As such, the FY 2018 proposed budget was prepared based on the commitment by the Board of
Supervisors to a two-year budget adoption process. The proposed budget is based on the approved
draft fiscal plan for the second year of the two-year budget. Adjustments were made as part of the
FY 2018 budget process only as a result of significant changes in revenue projections, the
imposition of newly mandated or regulated requirements, or other significant events constituting
an emergency that required additional consideration.
The FY 2018 proposed budget totals $310.9 million, and consistent with the Boards approved
draft plan for the second year of the biennial budget, recommends no adjustments to the overall
real estate tax rate at $1.039 per $100 of assessed value and all other tax rates for Tax Year 2017.
To provide the utmost flexibility to the Board of Supervisors when considering potential changes
to the proposed budget, including the capital improvement program and match funding for a
potential fire and rescue staffing grant in FY 2018, the FY 2018 proposed budget will advertise an
overall real estate tax rate of $1.059 per $100 of assessed value. Under the advertised rate in the
FY 2018 budget, the average homeowners real estate tax bill would increase approximately $64
per year based on an average residential assessment of $321,300. However, the proposed budget
maintains the current tax rates, equating to no adjustments in the average homeowners real estate
tax bill.
Fauquier County, Virginia Fiscal Year 2018 Proposed Budget Page A-1
General Fund revenue continues to experience modest growth primarily resulting from increases
in real estate, personal property, and sales taxes. Real estate tax revenue continues to benefit from
modest amounts of new construction and improvements, while sales tax continues to experience
moderate annual growth. The most significant increase in General Fund revenue was due to
additions in the base assessment value of personal property from new business investments
equating to an approximate 5% increase, with continued positive growth as a result of new
automobile purchases and maintained valuations. Overall impacts of recent business development
will be longer term with no significant impacts in the short-term due to tax incentive programs.
Unemployment in Fauquier County has remained relatively steady over the past two years,
dropping from 3.3% in December 2015 to 3.2% in December 2016. In comparison to the State and
nation, the Countys unemployment rate continues to trend below the State at 3.8% and
significantly below the nation at 4.5% in December 2016. The current unemployment levels are
significantly below the Countys ten and five-year averages of 4.4% (2006-2015) and 4.8% (2011-
2015) as calculated by the States Employment Commission.
The FY 2018 proposed budget totals $310.9 million, with General Fund expenditures totaling
$182.98 million. The General Fund increase equates to approximately $5.4 million, or 3.1% over
the FY 2017 adopted budget, and a $3.4 million increase over the draft FY 2018 fiscal plan,
primarily driven by revised revenue projections due to additions in the base assessment values for
real and personal property. The FY 2018 proposed budget includes a $1.99 million increase in
local support to the School Division to meet rising benefit costs, including mandated increases in
the Virginia Retirement System contribution rates for School Divisions and health insurance costs.
The FY 2018 proposed General Fund budget also includes a $1.1 million use of fund balance, as
planned by the Board of Supervisors in the FY 2017 budget process, to allocate towards one-time
funding initiatives.
Fauquier County, Virginia Fiscal Year 2018 Proposed Budget Page A-2
FY 2018 Proposed Budget General Fund Expenditures
FY 2017 FY 2018 FY2017-18 FY 2017-18
General Fund Adopted Proposed Change($) Change (%)
General Government $ 13,739,612 $ 14,463,745 $ 724,133 5.27%
Judicial Administration 3,913,169 3,998,909 85,740 2.19%
Public Safety 26,545,093 28,061,694 1,516,601 5.71%
Public Works 7,679,467 7,879,642 200,175 2.61%
Health & Welfare 11,584,567 11,680,903 96,336 0.83%
Culture 6,225,948 6,354,463 128,515 2.06%
Community Development 5,424,686 5,674,640 249,954 4.61%
Non-Departmental 2,034,420 1,727,662 (306,758) -15.08%
Local Transfers
Airport Enterprise Fund 94,104 16,000 (78,104) -83.00%
Capital Improvement Fund 1,045,550 2,371,041 1,325,491 126.77%
County Asset Replacement Fund 1,914,000 1,329,000 (585,000) -30.56%
Debt Service Fund 12,694,765 12,572,750 (122,015) -0.96%
Landfill Enterprise Fund 450,503 666,348 215,845 47.91%
School Division Operating 84,098,708 86,086,173 1,987,465 2.36%
Utility Fund 100,000 100,000 - 0.00%
General Fund Total $ 177,544,592 $ 182,982,970 $ 5,438,378 3.06%
The FY 2018 proposed budget maintains those increases the Board of Supervisors approved with
the FY 2017 adopted budget, and also maintains all tax rates for Tax Year 2017 as originally
planned in the FY 2018 approved budget. The primary focus of the FY 2018 planned budget was
funding the phased increases in public safety staffing and the full year costs of the mid-FY 2017
two-percent cost-of-living increase to County permanent employees, with a limited level of
increase for fixed and mandated cost increases. The FY 2018 proposed budget augments the
original fiscal plan by allocating additional revenues in key areas including health insurance cost
increases and allocations towards future debt service and capital cash funding needs.
The increases in the FY 2018 proposed budget include approximately $685,000 for a health
insurance projected increase, approximately $145,000 for increases in formulary-based
contributions to support agencies, a $50,000 projected increase in fleet costs, and an approximately
$100,000 increase in County-wide maintenance service contracts and insurance premiums. The
projected plan also includes a limited set of enhancements including three additional FTEs for
County departments and six additional FTEs for public safety. The proposed budget includes one
additional FTE for a captain position at the Upperville fire and rescue station due to the recent
announcement of the closure of the Volunteer Station and the transfer of the Station to the County,
one additional deputy for Court Services approved mid-FY 2017, and four additional FTEs for the
Sheriffs Office patrol division previously approved with the FY 2017 adopted budget. The
increases in County departments include two additional FTEs in the Commissioner of the
Revenues Office for Business Taxation Compliance, funded with one-time monies in FY 2018
and to be self-supported in FY 2019, an increase in hours for one full-time FTE in the County
Attorneys Office to address workload demands, and one additional FTE in Parks and Recreation
with the establishment of a Parks and Facilities Crew Supervisor mid-year, with related operating
budget increases of approximately $36,000 for maintenance service, based on the projected
opening of the Central Sports Complex in FY 2018. Lastly, the proposed budget includes one
Fauquier County, Virginia Fiscal Year 2018 Proposed Budget Page A-3
project manager position for the proposed Broadband capital project. The position is to be
supported with project funding with a term equivalent to the length of the project.
The FY 2018 proposed budget does not include an additional compensation increase for County
employees. In addition, the proposed budget increases overall health insurance costs from a
projected 3.5% in the original FY 2018 budget plan to 8.0% in the FY 2018 proposed budget. The
projected increase would be split between employer and employee at a 90%/10% increase
allocation, which equates to a 5.0% increase to employee premiums. Since the recession, the
County has limited the level of increase in employee health insurance costs given the availability
of funding hindered compensation increases. However, recent health insurance market trends and
current health insurance costs have restricted the Countys ability to continue to cover the
employee share of those increased costs, but also mitigates passing along those increases to
employees by other means such as increased deductibles or plan design changes with the potential
for proposed changes in federal health insurance laws.
School Division
The FY 2018 budget includes an additional $1.99 million in local funding to the School Division.
The School Divisions Operating Fund adopted budget totals $137,297,382, a $3.6 million or 2.7%
increase over FY 2017. The direct local funding support to the School Division equates to 56.7%
of available local funding, including debt service funding and a transfer to the School Division
Operating Fund. The inclusion of consolidated services received by the School Division, but
funded within the County government budget, such as Human Resources and General Services,
which support the School Division through direct and indirect sources, increases local support to
61.3% of available local funding.
The FY 2018 Proposed Budget increase of $1.99 million in local support to the School Division,
primarily funds benefit related costs. The increased funding will support projected VRS
contribution rate increases as included in the States biennium budget, as well as the School
Divisions share of the projected 8.0% increase in health insurance costs, with local support costs
equivalent to the employers 90.0% share of the projected increase. VRS contribution rates for the
schools have been increased by the State in an attempt to narrow the gap in funding the school
retirement fund with VRS. The School Division would need to determine if they would pass on an
increase in health insurance costs to employees or cover that level of funding through non-local
support funding.
Fauquier County, Virginia Fiscal Year 2018 Proposed Budget Page A-4
projects. The CIP included with the proposed budget is in draft form as the Board continues to
work through the capital project planning process during the budget cycle.
Summary
The annual budget process continues to be a complex process given growing and changing needs
in the community including capital projects and public safety, balanced against fixed and mandated
cost increases for the County and School Division. However, the continued use of the biennial
budget process enhances the Countys ability to react to fiscal challenges and develop strategic,
fiscal planning models that outline the needs of the County and the resources required to meet
those operating and capital initiatives. I continue to look forward to working with the Board of
Supervisors to develop a budget that focuses on managing financial resources, while ensuring the
provision of key programs and services of the County.
Fauquier County, Virginia Fiscal Year 2018 Proposed Budget Page A-5
FY 2018 Proposed Expenditures by Fund
Other Funds
Ambulance Revenue Recovery Fund $ 1,412,439 $ 1,383,889 $ (28,550) -2.0%
Capital Improvement Fund 2,854,550 17,251,118 14,396,568 504.3%
Conservation Easement Service District Fund 932,966 759,726 (173,240) -18.6%
County Asset Replacement Fund 2,544,000 1,359,000 (1,185,000) -46.6%
Debt Service Fund 13,474,147 13,091,837 (382,310) -2.8%
Fire and Rescue Levy Fund 7,207,326 6,708,423 (498,903) -6.9%
Fleet Maintenance Fund 3,859,139 3,803,739 (55,400) -1.4%
Health Insurance Fund 28,805,300 31,118,765 2,313,465 8.0%
Landfill Enterprise Fund 5,620,502 5,846,621 226,119 4.0%
Warrenton-Fauquier Airport Enterprise Fund 794,907 715,851 (79,056) -9.9%
Other Funds Total $ 67,505,276 $ 82,038,969 $ 14,533,693 21.53%
Fauquier County, Virginia Fiscal Year 2018 Proposed Budget Page A-6
FY 2018 Proposed Revenue by Fund
Other Funds
Ambulance Revenue Recovery Fund $ 1,412,439 $ 1,383,889 $ (28,550) -2.0%
Capital Improvement Fund 2,854,550 17,251,118 14,396,568 504.3%
Conservation Easement Service District Fund 932,966 759,726 (173,240) -18.6%
County Asset Replacement Fund 2,544,000 1,359,000 (1,185,000) -46.6%
Debt Service Fund 13,474,147 13,091,837 (382,310) -2.8%
Fire and Rescue Levy Fund 7,207,326 6,708,423 (498,903) -6.9%
Fleet Maintenance Fund 3,859,139 3,803,739 (55,400) -1.4%
Health Insurance Fund 28,805,300 31,118,765 2,313,465 8.0%
Landfill Enterprise Fund 5,620,502 5,846,621 226,119 4.0%
Warrenton-Fauquier Airport Enterprise Fund 794,907 715,851 (79,056) -9.9%
Other Funds Total $ 67,505,276 $ 82,038,969 $ 14,533,693 21.53%
Fauquier County, Virginia Fiscal Year 2018 Proposed Budget Page A-7
FY 2018 Proposed Local Tax Funding Summary
General Government
County Operating $ 65,764,632 $ 17,194,728 $ 48,569,904 28.6%
County Share Unified Services 4,253,108 901,630 3,351,478 2.0%
Landfill Fund 5,846,621 5,180,273 666,348 0.4%
Airport 715,851 699,851 16,000 0.0%
Asset Replacement 1,359,000 30,000 1,329,000 0.8%
Capital Improvements 13,951,118 11,580,077 2,371,041 1.4%
Debt Service 2,442,099 - 2,442,099 1.4%
Subtotal, General Government $ 94,332,429 $ 35,586,559 $ 58,745,870 34.60%
School Division
School Operating $ 137,297,382 $ 51,211,209 $ 86,086,173 50.7%
School Division Share Unified Services 9,923,918 2,103,804 7,820,114 4.6%
Nutrition Program 5,495,869 5,495,869 - 0.0%
Textbooks 1,181,924 1,181,924 - 0.0%
Regional Governor's School 1,535,129 1,535,129 - 0.0%
Asset Replacement 3,440,655 3,440,655 - 0.0%
Capital Improvements 3,300,000 3,300,000 - 0.0%
Debt Service 10,649,738 519,087 10,130,651 6.0%
Subtotal, School System: $ 172,824,615 $ 68,787,677 $ 104,036,938 61.28%
Fauquier County, Virginia Fiscal Year 2018 Proposed Budget Page A-8
FY 2018 Proposed Budget General Fund Expenditure Summary
General Government
Board of Supervisors $ 274,964 $ 276,928 $ 1,964 0.7%
Commissioner of the Revenue 1,423,786 1,577,042 153,256 10.8%
County Administration 862,038 1,035,883 173,845 20.2%
County Attorney 680,044 731,629 51,585 7.6%
Finance 1,419,551 1,473,471 53,920 3.8%
Geographic Info Systems 329,944 340,007 10,063 3.0%
Human Resources 2,698,230 2,758,484 60,254 2.2%
Independent Auditor 179,005 181,610 2,605 1.5%
Information Technology 3,767,224 3,900,554 133,330 3.5%
Management & Budget 424,138 454,031 29,893 7.0%
Registrar 430,372 434,945 4,573 1.1%
Treasurer 1,250,316 1,299,161 48,845 3.9%
Subtotal, Gen Government $ 13,739,612 $ 14,463,745 $ 724,133 5.3%
Judicial Administration
Adult Court Services $ 950,963 $ 975,803 $ 24,840 2.6%
Circuit Court 145,695 146,447 752 0.5%
Clerk of the Circuit Court 1,218,869 1,241,676 22,807 1.9%
Commissioner of Accounts 2,400 15,600 13,200 550.0%
Commonwealth's Attorney 1,457,043 1,481,184 24,141 1.7%
General District Court 32,700 32,700 - 0.0%
Juv & Dom Relations Court 17,726 17,726 - 0.0%
Magistrates 87,773 87,773 - 0.0%
Subtotal, Judicial Admin $ 3,913,169 $ 3,998,909 $ 85,740 2.2%
Public Safety
Fire, Rescue & Emergency Mgmt. $ 7,473,821 $ 8,239,482 $ 765,661 10.2%
Juvenile Detention & Probation 309,457 309,457 - 0.0%
Sheriff's Office 18,761,815 19,512,755 750,940 4.0%
Subtotal, Public Safety $ 26,545,093 $ 28,061,694 $ 1,516,601 5.7%
Public Works
Env Services (Conv Sites) $ 2,582,969 $ 2,641,182 $ 58,213 2.3%
General Services 5,096,498 5,238,460 141,962 2.8%
Subtotal, Public Works $ 7,679,467 $ 7,879,642 $ 200,175 2.6%
Fauquier County, Virginia Fiscal Year 2018 Proposed Budget Page A-9
Culture
Library $ 2,304,933 $ 2,353,360 $ 48,427 2.1%
Lord Fairfax Comm College 63,345 65,027 1,682 2.7%
Parks & Recreation 3,857,670 3,936,076 78,406 2.0%
Subtotal, Culture $ 6,225,948 $ 6,354,463 $ 128,515 2.1%
Community Development
Agriculture Development $ 63,033 $ 63,781 $ 748 1.2%
Community Development 3,483,820 3,630,297 146,477 4.2%
Contributions 700,527 701,174 647 0.1%
Cooperative Extension 145,001 152,702 7,701 5.3%
Economic Development 725,913 768,126 42,213 5.8%
John Marshall SWCD 156,606 207,774 51,168 32.7%
Planning Commission/BZA 149,786 150,786 1,000 0.7%
Subtotal, Comm Develop $ 5,424,686 $ 5,674,640 $ 249,954 4.6%
Transfers
Airport Enterprise Fund 94,104 16,000 (78,104) -83.0%
Capital Improvement Fund 1,045,550 2,371,041 1,325,491 126.8%
County Asset Replacement Fund 1,914,000 1,329,000 (585,000) -30.6%
Debt Service Fund 12,694,765 12,572,750 (122,015) -1.0%
Landfill Enterprise Fund 450,503 666,348 215,845 47.9%
School Division Operating 84,098,708 86,086,173 1,987,465 2.4%
Utility Fund 100,000 100,000 - 0.0%
Subtotal, Transfers $ 100,397,630 $ 103,141,312 $ 2,743,682 2.7%
Total, General Fund $ 177,544,592 $ 182,982,970 $ 5,438,378 3.1%
Fauquier County, Virginia Fiscal Year 2018 Proposed Budget Page A-10
Total County Personnel Adjustments
The following provides an overview of all adjustments to County permanent positions as approved by the Board of Supervisors since the adoption
of the FY 2017 budget, planned for the FY 2018 Approved Budget, and recommended for the FY 2018 Proposed Budget.
Fauquier County, Virginia Fiscal Year 2018 Proposed Budget Page A-11
FY 2018 Proposed Budget - FTE History
General Government
Board of Supervisors 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Commissioner of Revenue 20.00 20.00 22.00 22.00
County Administration 6.53 7.53 7.53 8.53
County Attorney 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00
Finance 17.53 18.06 18.06 18.00
Geographic Information Systems 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00
Human Resources 18.00 18.00 18.00 18.00
Information Technology 22.00 22.00 22.00 22.00
Management & Budget 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00
Registrar 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00
Treasurer 16.00 16.00 16.00 16.00
Subtotal, General Government 118.06 119.59 121.59 122.53
Judicial Administration
Adult Court Services 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00
Circuit Court 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Clerk of Circuit Court 16.04 16.04 16.04 16.04
Commissioner of Accounts 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Commonwealth's Attorney 16.07 16.07 16.07 16.07
General District Court 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Juv. & Domestic Relations Court 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Magistrates 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Subtotal, Judicial Administration 45.11 45.11 45.11 45.11
Public Safety
Fire, Rescue & Emergency Management 75.40 83.00 83.00 84.00
Juvenile Detention & Probation 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Sheriff 172.50 176.50 180.50 181.50
Subtotal, Public Safety 247.90 259.50 263.50 265.50
Public Works
Env. Services (Convenience Sites) 11.50 11.50 11.50 11.50
General Services 53.00 53.00 53.00 53.00
Subtotal, Public Works 64.50 64.50 64.50 64.50
Fauquier County, Virginia Fiscal Year 2018 Proposed Budget Page A-12
FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2018
Department Actual Adopted Approved Proposed
Culture
Library 34.33 34.31 34.31 34.31
Lord Fairfax Community College 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Parks & Recreation 28.86 29.86 30.86 30.86
Subtotal, Culture 63.19 64.17 65.17 65.17
Community Development
Agricultural Development 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Community Development 40.53 40.53 40.53 40.53
Contributions 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Cooperative Extension 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.43
Economic Development 3.67 3.67 3.67 3.67
John Marshall Soil & Water Cons. District 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Planning Commission/BZA 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Subtotal, Community Development 45.63 45.63 45.63 45.63
Non-Departmental
Non-Departmental 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Subtotal, Non-Departmental 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Other Funds
Airport Fund 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00
Ambulance Revenue Fund 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Conservation Easement District Fund 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00
Fleet Maintenance Fund 14.00 15.00 15.00 15.00
Landfill Enterprise Fund 25.50 25.50 25.50 25.50
Subtotal, Other Funds 45.50 46.50 46.50 46.50
Fauquier County, Virginia Fiscal Year 2018 Proposed Budget Page A-13
FAUQUIER COUNTY ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
Fauquier County, Virginia Fiscal Year 2018 Proposed Budget Page A-14